something went very wrong

Plants have been cut down and trimmed and have now been hanging for 3 days in dark cabinet. First two days ok, but last night i noticed a massive hay smell (that might have started just before harvest, not sure). Plants are in dark in the cabinet which is in my living room. Heaters are off since it's spring and humidity should be normal ambient one or little higher since cab is closed.

Stems are snappy but don't snap in different parts, they only bend.

What can i do? Jar them already or is the hay phase normal ?

I have noticed that when you first cut your plants down they have great smell, but as they dry out it turns to a grassy or hay like smell. If your buds have lost half or more of their weight and have slightly crispy outer leaves, jar them and make sure they don't get too moist. Open them up every once and a while and that hay smell will turn into some seriously good stink.

Thanks Nander. I should add that the flowers are nothing near crisp on the outside so jaring seems way too early. And it's obvious that the plants are still very wet and heavy, can the smell come from the freshly cut process?

When disturbed they should have a very strong piney smell along with the scent that particular strain is known for, except in the background. If they are still heavy and nowhere near dry, I would start looking into ways to let more air in and out of the cab. Otherwise what you are doing is sticking freshly cut bud into a large wooden jar. But yes, newly cut bud does tend to have a hay smell if just sitting there and isn't being disturbed. I always thought it was a bit strange myself. The good smell does not seem to start occurring until two weeks into the cure.

What I have been doing is forcing the exhaust from my grow room through my buds. They dry out in 1-2 days and are usually light and springy to slightly crispy, then I jar them. I kinda think I should build an air intake drier instead. Basically hook up the air intake for your grow room to your cabinet, and put enough holes in it so your grow room gets the right airflow.

I Wonder, are you concerned about having your home smell like weed? Because it can kinda complicate things.

No smell is controlled ie doesn't get out of the flat so that's ok. I left a big bowl of water in the cab this morning to increase humidity a bit. How long does air drying take on average ?

Anyone else has an opinion this? I could really take more opinions on the matter.

Anyone ? Please any help is appreciated.

What is the temp and humidity in your drying area? Buds will give off a few "different" aromas while drying and breaking down, the longer you can dry for the better. Do not overdry before starting your cure or it will be too late and your product will not be what it could have been.

"Help! I'm trying to dry my bud so I put a bowl of water in with them to increase humidity"
*facepalm*

Take the bowl if water out, install a way to get air exchange going, and you should smell progress (haha?) Once the buds are a bit crispy on the outside, put them in mason jars and open them once every 12 hours for a week, then once a day for a ween. Then enjoy your smoke

Thanks Guitarguy

pics. I bet the buds just dont have enough trichomes, and resin, and are not great. my first few grows sucked

The fresh hay smell is the chlorophyll breaking down.